BEN HILL COUNTY, Ga. — Four people died, and nine more were injured in a shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested Colt Gray, 14, and has charged him with four counts of felony murder. They have also charged his father, Colin Gray, with involuntary manslaughter and other charges.
Colt Gray’s grandfather, Charlie Polhamus, lives in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Polhamus is Colt's maternal grandfather. He told 13WMAZ he believes Gray’s father, Colin, deserves some of the blame for the tragic shooting.
"I understand that Colt did it, and he needs to pay the ultimate price," Polhamus said. "I understand that and I don't disagree with that, but his dad is as guilty as Colt is."
Polhamus said he didn’t see his grandson or son-in-law often.
Colin Gray, 54, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of child abuse, according to a GBI report. He's currently in the Barrow County Detention Center.
Polhamus said his wife spoke with officials at Apalachee High School about Colt’s behavior and attitude at school prior to the shooting.
He says Colt’s parents have struggled with personal and marital problems, which has caused Colt and his two siblings to shift between households. He says the children have been staying with Colin in Barrow County since last year.
Polhamus said he and his wife are trying to get the younger children to stay with their mother, Marcee, and the rest of their family in Fitzgerald.
"I think yesterday morning he sent [Marcee] a text saying he was sorry," Polhamus said. "She was here. That's sad."
Colt Gray is in custody at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center. He has a bond hearing set for Friday morning in the Barrow County Courthouse.